Published
December 14, 2023
Case Study: Brodie's Sibling Cord Blood Therapy for Cerebral Palsy
Medically reviewed by
Brodie attributes his newfound strength to one source: "Zoey's blood." The umbilical cord blood from his little sister is proving to be a transformative force in his life. In December 2018, Brodie became one of the pioneering recipients of sibling cord blood treatment for cerebral palsy in Australia. This groundbreaking therapy was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the non-profit Cerebral Palsy Alliance and the family cord blood bank, Cell Care. A video capturing Brodie's response to the therapy was unveiled in 2019, showcasing the positive impact on his condition. Since then, Brodie's journey has been featured on various platforms, including Studio 10 and, most recently, Sky News in January 2022.
Cerebral palsy, affecting 2 in every 1,000 live births, stands as the most prevalent childhood physical disability globally. It impairs movement, muscle tone, and coordination in diverse ways, with no known cure. However, there is hope that clinical trials utilizing stem cells from umbilical cord blood could enhance patient outcomes.
Brodie's story began with his parents noticing irregularities in his movements despite meeting all developmental milestones. His right hand became more dominant, and the left side exhibited uneven strength. After persistent medical consultations, they discovered that Brodie had suffered a stroke in the womb, leading to his diagnosis of left hemiplegia cerebral palsy at 18 months.
In Australia, where over 34,000 people live with cerebral palsy affecting both speech and movement, researchers at Monash University are diligently investigating the mechanisms of cerebral palsy and the potential benefits of cell therapy. Professor Graham Jenkin explained, "The palsy side is a problem with remote motor movement, in other words movement of limbs. The brain has been damaged in some way, and those nerve tracts which go to the limbs, the legs, and the arms, are affected."
The pivotal moment in Brodie's journey occurred during a visit to the doctor while his mother, Brenda, was pregnant with Zoey. A brochure promoting the sibling cord blood clinical trial caught her attention, revealing a new possibility for treating cerebral palsy using cord blood. Brenda, previously unaware of this potential, found herself in awe and decided to enroll Brodie in the groundbreaking clinical trial.
Brodie's parents embraced Cell Care's Sibling Program, offering free cord blood banking to families with an older sibling afflicted by cerebral palsy. Zoey's cord blood was collected, processed, and stored in Cell Care's fully licensed laboratory. Brodie then underwent a cord blood treatment at the Royal Children's Hospital, where Zoey's precious cord blood cells were infused through a simple procedure akin to a blood transfusion.
In the weeks following the transfusion, Brenda and Ben noticed significant improvements in Brodie's condition. His left arm demonstrated increased movement and strength, positively impacting his daily life. Brenda remarked, "He would avoid playground apparatus requiring use of his left arm; it’s no longer the case now." Moreover, they observed enhancements in Brodie's intellectual abilities, noting increased brightness and engagement since the infusion.
The infusion of cord blood cells is believed to ameliorate the symptoms of cerebral palsy by reducing inflammation and swelling in the brain. Professor Graham Jenkin of Monash University stated, "Cerebral Palsy, when all is said and done, is an inflammatory disease. The brain becomes inflamed for various reasons that cause cerebral palsy, and we have shown in our preclinical studies that these cells help dampen that inflammation." The clinical trial Brodie participated in was a phase 1 study investigating the safety of cord blood infusions for cerebral palsy. While the outcomes are promising, it remains to be conclusively proven that Brodie's improvements were a direct result of the cord blood treatment. A follow-up phase 2 clinical trial is being planned in Australia to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sibling cord blood therapy with a larger group of participants.
Meanwhile, Professor Jenkin and colleagues at Monash Health are conducting the clinical trial ACTRN12619001637134, the world's first trial aiming to prevent cerebral palsy by treating very preterm babies born before 28 weeks gestation. Nearly half of children who develop cerebral palsy are born prematurely. The new trial seeks to reduce the severity of cerebral palsy by administering cells obtained from the babies' own umbilical cord blood as soon as possible after birth. Despite differing opinions on cord clamping methods, especially for babies in distress and born preterm, the trial aims to rescue and return cord blood to preterm babies, potentially aiding in the development of their newborn brains. Brodie's parents firmly believe that cord blood therapy has enabled him to achieve feats they once feared he wouldn't.
Keep on reading
